Shloka 54
Cosmic Manifestation, Mahāmāyā’s Mandate, Varṇāśrama-Dharma, and the Unity of the Trimūrti
ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसाः / जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था अधो गच्छन्ति तामसाः
ūrdhvaṃ gacchanti sattvasthā madhye tiṣṭhanti rājasāḥ / jaghanyaguṇavṛttisthā adho gacchanti tāmasāḥ
អ្នកដែលស្ថិតក្នុងសត្តវៈ នឹងឡើងខ្ពស់; អ្នកដែលរាជសៈគ្រប់គ្រង នឹងឈរនៅកណ្ដាល។ អ្នកដែលប្រព្រឹត្តតាមគុណទាបបំផុត គឺតមសៈ នឹងធ្លាក់ចុះក្រោម។
Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) instructing the sages (Purāṇic teaching voice)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
By classifying ascent and descent through the guṇas, the verse implies that bondage belongs to prakṛti’s qualities; the discerning seeker turns toward sattva and knowledge to recognize the Atman as distinct from these changing modes.
The verse points to guṇa-śuddhi: cultivating sattva through dharma, self-restraint, right conduct, and contemplative discipline—foundational to Purāṇic yoga and compatible with Pāśupata-oriented purification leading to steadier meditation.
Though not naming them directly, the teaching reflects the shared Purāṇic framework honored by both Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava traditions: liberation requires transcending guṇa-driven conduct, a goal presented as one in the Kurma Purana’s synthetic theology.